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The copper theft was captured by security cameras Friday night, police said, but the freezer's failure wasn't discovered until Monday. By then, thousands of pounds of groceries at the Gleaners Food Bank had become unusable.
It was the third time in two months that copper had been taken from Gleaners. The food bank serves more than 300,000 people through more than 400 pantries and charities in 20 central Indiana counties.
Children, families and the elderly will be hurt by the theft, said Pam Altmeyer, president and chief executive officer of Gleaners.
"It is becoming very clear that the thieves do not understand that it is those most in need of assistance who are hurt," she said.
The theft could cost Gleaners $464,000 in lost food, plus $20,000 for immediate repairs. Gleaners will work this week to solicit more donations and plans to continue distributing its nonperishable food.
Copper can be sold for around $3 per pound, and thefts have become common across the country. In the food bank's case, it is unlikely the thieves got more than a few hundred dollars if they sold all the copper tubing to a scrap yard, Police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.
[Associated Press]
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